Bars
(and other establishments serving alcohol)
Updated - 06/23/2023
After-hours joint, ale house, bar, barroom, beer garden, beer hall, beer joint, bistro, canteen, cantina, club, cocktail lounge, dive, drinkery, gin mill, honky-tonk, hostelry, hotel, inn, joint, lounge, night club, pub, public house, rathskeller, road house, saloon, social club, speak easy, tap room, tavern and even "watering hole" are just some of the many, many synonyms for a location to obtain alcoholic drinks and refreshments. Some even call it "the office"...as in "I can't come home right now...I gotta stay late at the office". Regardless of the name, almost every town had some and Auburn, Pennsylvania was no exception. Presently, the only two places where someone can legally purchase alcohol in Auburn is at certain Auburn Fire Company functions or at the Staller-Luckenbill VFW Post.
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Auburn Fire Company -
The brick structure pictured on the right was built in 1921 to house the fire apparatus for the Auburn Fire Company. However, the Auburn Fire Company had its “roots” in the community even earlier. On May 17, 1896, resident George Lavan organized a group of volunteers from the immediate area to combat fire in and around Auburn. As a result of their vigilance in detecting and battling blazes, the group was commonly referred to as the “Vigilants”. These men could be seen hurriedly moving their hand-drawn cart through the streets in times of fire emergencies. In addition to serving the community with their fire-fighting efforts, the Auburn Fire Company occasionally serves the community with beverages ranging from beer to moonshine slushees at special events. The annual block parties that the Auburn Fire Company conducts are a much anticipated event that benefits the fire company with its financial support from profits. In addition to attending their special fund-raising events which include, but are not necessarily limited to, auctions, bingo, food sales and raffles, a person can also support the fire company by becoming a fire-fighter, becoming an Auburn Fire Company member, or simply by donating money or auction merchandise to their cause. Their contact information is: Auburn Fire Company, P.O. Box 137, Auburn, PA 17922; or call 570-754-4567; or email them at [email protected]; or visit them in person at the station house located at 131 S. Front Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. |
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"Auburn Hotel"
Berger's hotel Bressler's hotel Brobst's hotel "EAGLE HOTEL" Fahl's hotel Henry's hotel "HOTEL AUBURN" Krammes' hotel Raush's hotel "ST. ELMO'S HOTEL" "WASHINGTON HOTEL" - ******************************************** All of the aforementioned hotels were established out of the same structure over the decades and possessed the same barroom, simply under different management names, both "official" and "unofficial". ******************************************** In a vintage hand-drawn map dated 1855, there is a vague reference to a "Berger's hotel" listed on this site. ********************************************The Eagle Hotel was a stately three story brick Victorian structure which served as Auburn's primary hotel. The building was built sometime in the mid-1800s, possibly by S. M. Young, at the intersection of Front and Market Streets of Auburn. The "Eagle Hotel" is clearly listed on an 1875 DeBeers Atlas map of Auburn, PA. The hotel was ideally located, not only along the main thoroughfare of Auburn, but it was also near the railroad terminals of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Reading Railroad and the Schuylkill & Susquehanna (or "S & S") Railroads, as well as office and canal lock for the Schuylkill Navigation System. ******************************************** By 1877, the hotel had been renamed the "ST. ELMO HOTEL". A vintage newspaper with an Auburn, PA byline featured the following news: "The proprietor of the St. Elmo Hotel (of Auburn) has a chicken which has attained the remarkable age of 14 years." ******************************************** An early advertisement was promoting the following: "ST. ELMO HOTEL, LEWIS R. HENRY, Prop. The Leading Hotel. Choice Brands of Liquors, Wines & Cigars. Table or Transient Boarding by the Week or Month. Stabling Attached. Auburn, Pa.". ******************************************** It's presumed that sometime between its period as the "St. Elmo Hotel" and the latter "Hotel Auburn" (a.k.a. - the "Auburn Hotel", the structure spent a brief period of time known as the "Washington Hotel". ******************************************** Circa 1901, John Howard Fahl had purchased and rechristened the structure, previously known as the "Eagle Hotel" and "St. Elmo Hotel", as the “Hotel Auburn”. He promoted his business venture as “Rebuilt”, “Newly Furnished”, with “Steam Heat” and “Good Stabling and Delivery Accommodations”. He offered such "luxuries" as access to a “Bell Telephone” and to “a bar supplied with fine liquors and cigars”. ******************************************** In the publication of the Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania genealogy published in 1916, there is a biography of Charles H. Krammes. The publication states that Krammes purchased the "Auburn House" (hotel) from John H. Fahl on February 1, 1911. Why the genealogy refers to the hotel as the "Auburn House" is uncertain because it was named the "Hotel Auburn" during at least John Howard Fahl's proprietorship, into Charles Henry Krammes' proprietorship, and including Curtis E. Krammes' proprietorship after his father Charles gave up the proprietorship role. ******************************************** A "Clarence Brobst" is believed to have operated the hotel after World War I. In a 1924 advertisement the hotel was referred to as "the Auburn Hotel". Whether or not this was an official change from the "Hotel Auburn" is uncertain at this time. ******************************************** In the mid-1920’s, the hotel was sold to Oscar “Socky” E. Bressler. An undated and non-sourced newspaper clipping states that Bressler and his family lived in the hotel during the 1930s. Auburn historian Kermit Mengel stated that many residents would spend a great deal of time at Bressler's bar (within the hotel) in the 1930s & 1940s. Whether or not the hotel officially changed names is uncertain, but it was referred to as "Bressler's Hotel" in certain advertisements. ********************************************Unfortunately, the hotel’s profitability was declining. The Schuylkill Canal hadn't operated for decades, and the railroad travel was rapidly becoming obsolete as motorized vehicles became the preferred means of transportation. Even the garment and textile industry, once so profitable for Auburn, was in decline. The attractive balcony which once graced the eastern end of the building was deteriorating and subsequently removed for safety reasons. The grand hotel, and its popular barroom, which had faithfully served Auburn for decades, closed its guest register for its final time. The building was then converted into apartments and still serves as a rental property of apartments to its tenants. The final disposition of the actual wooden bar that was once featured so prominently within the hotel is uncertain at this time. ******************************************** |
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A. Moyer's hotel
Armpreister's hotel (the) "Delmonico" Fahl's hotel "HOTEL DELMONICO" "J. Delmonico Hotel" Kramer's hotel Moyer's hotel Reber's hotel Schucker's hotel Staller's hotel ******************************************** All of the aforementioned hotels were established out of the same structure over the decades and possessed the same barroom, simply under different management names, both "official" and "unofficial". ******************************************** The Hotel Delmonico was a three story brick Colonial-style hotel built in 1848 by Samuel Kramer. Whether or not the hotel was originally called "the Hotel Delmonico" and/or the "Delmonico" is uncertain. Located between the (Philadelphia and) Reading Railroad tracks and Deiter Snyder Street (later renamed Bear Creek Street), the hotel that Samuel had built was ideally situated to provide lodging for travelers on the Schuylkill Navigation System's canal (whose lock and local office building were mere yards away), travelers on the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad whose terminal was located nearby just east of the hotel, and travelers on the Reading Railroad (whose office was located north-northeast of the hotel within easy walking distance). Eventually it would even offer lodging to travelers on the Pennsylvania Railroad whose Auburn terminal was also within a mile's distance from the hotel. At one point, the hotel once featured an outdoor croquet course for the enjoyment of its more genteel guests as well as a fully stocked bar for those who preferred taking their shots using a glass rather than a wooden mallet. ******************************************** Over the years, the hotel changed ownership and names (both official and unofficial) several times. On the 1875 Debeers Atlas map of Auburn, Schuykill County, PA, the hotel is identified with the moniker "A. Moyer Hotel". ********************************************During the New Year's celebration of 1877 - 1878, the hotel was the site of a terrible tragedy. A newspaper article cited here tells us of the event: "Auburn, Pa. Jan. 1 - A son of Abraham Mayer (Moyer), proprietor of the Delmonico Hotel, of this place, while celebrating the last of the old year last night shot part of his face and head away by the accidental discharge of a gun. Strange to say the boy still lives but is in terrible agony. The case baffles scientific ability, and the spectacle is presented of a human being living with half a head." (Elk County Advocate January 10, 1878). Note: Even though the newspaper article is from Elk County, the byline clearly states Auburn, PA rather than any other Auburn-related location name in Pennsylvania or other states. ******************************************** Jackson Moyer, who took over the Hotel Delmonico after his father Abraham's withdrawal from proprietorship in the fall of 1879, was born in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, on 09/19/1846. He was the son of Abraham Moyer (prior proprietor of the hotel) and Rebecca Catharine Kramer Moyer. Jackson is believed to have operated the hotel until circa 1891. ******************************************** An early advertisement for the establishment read "J. Delmonico Hotel, J. W. Raber, (misspelleed - should be Reber) Prop., First-class Accommodations at Reasonable Rates. Auburn, Pa.". ******************************************** By 1905 the "Hotel Delmonica" was also unofficially referred to as the "Armpreister's hotel" (while being operated by Jonathan Armpreister). ******************************************** At one point, presumably after John Armpreister's ownership of the hotel, the hotel was also unofficially referred to as "Fahl's hotel" when George Fahl was the proprietor. An undated and non-sourced news article under the column name of "Auburn Shale" read "Hotel Delmonico, George Fahl, proprietor, had been greatly improved and renovated and now is amongst the most comfortable and best located hotels for summer boarders or parties to be found in the county. Geniality and Sociability are the mottoes that hang over the doorway of this hostelry." ******************************************** Another undated and non-sourced news article later states "Hotel Delmonico has changed hands and has been purchased by John Schucker, of Pottsville..." Of course, the hotel was then referred to as "Schucker's hotel". ********************************************The last person believed to have been the proprietor of the hotel while it was still a commercial business was an individual with the surname of "Staller" and, of course, the hotel was unofficially called "Staller's hotel". ******************************************** As with the other boarding houses within the town, the Hotel Delmonico could not remain financially profitable once the revenue from the defunct canal, closed railway terminals and the majority of industries located in the Auburn area were lost. By the 1990s, the structure had fallen into severe disrepair and posed a safety hazard to the public. As a result, in 1995 the hotel was demolished and razed by Sterling Leymeister. The site of the prior hotel is located slightly southeast of the intersection of Forest and Front Streets, east of Bear Creek Street between Bear Creek Street and the railroad tracks. ******************************************** |
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Jefferson Tavern -
The Jefferson Tavern is presumed to have been located within the Jefferson Hotel. While not within the town limits of Auburn in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the Jefferson Hotel was located approximately two miles west of Auburn in the small settlement of Jefferson (hence the name). Therefore, the hotel was within the "Auburn-area" geographical limits set for our historical society. As a result of news articles or snippets found within the AAHS archives, confirmation is available that the Jefferson Hotel did, in fact, serve alcohol for a period of time. A snippet in a news article found within the Reading Eagle dated January, 1896, reads: "Subsequently (Daniel) Steffe assaulted A. Z. Mohn, proprietor of the Jefferson Hotel, and also broke a lot of furniture. Mr. Mohn had him arrested and Steffe is lodged in jail awaiting trial." A second snippet later that same month reads: "Schuylkill Court - Alvin Z. Mohn (proprietor of the Jefferson Hotel), South Manheim Township, who is an applicant for the retail liquor license, on the grounds that the house is not necessary and that he has sold liquor on Sunday and on Election Day; also to minors, and that his bond is not sufficient. The papers were filed against him by W. M. Fausset." Apparently, hotel management did not suit Mr. Mohn. By February, 1896 a news snippet in the Reading Eagle reads: "A. Z. Mohn, proprietor of the Jefferson Hotel, will move into town in April and manufacture cigars. Westley Reber will take charge of the Hotel." According to the above-quoted newspaper article, an individual named "Westley Reber" intended to take charge of the (Jefferson) Hotel in 1896. An on-line obituary for Melvin J. Reber states that he was an "owner with (of the?) Jefferson Hotel". Whether or not the "Jefferson Tavern" was located within the "Jefferson Hotel" is uncertain at this time. |
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"Saloon" -
On the enlargement of a portion of the 1875 DeBeers Atlas Map of Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA depicted on the right, "W. R. Schultz Store & P.O." is underlined in red. Directly below those structures and slightly to the left is a structure that would have been situated adjacent to the (unlabeled) "Canal Street". That building is labeled "Saloon". The map does not clearly indicate who the owner and proprietor of that "saloon" would have been. By "clicking" on the picture of the map, a larger enhanced version can be viewed. Unfortunately, no further information is currently available about the "saloon". |
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"Sweet William" Steffy's Bar -
"Sweet William" Steffy's Bar was located on the west side of Bear Creek Street, just a short distance north of the junction with Mill Street, in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. A vintage map circa 1930s depicting a portion of Bear Creek Street in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, shows a structure with the legend "William Steffey" and "Store and Dwl." (dwelling). William Steffy is definitely known to have operated a bar on Bear Creek Street. However, very little information currently exists about any form of mercantile-type store he may have operated there. On the promotional and somewhat risque matchbook cover featured on the right, we are informed that the establishment offered "beer served correctly". In the two photographs featured on the right, "Sweet William" and presumably his wife are standing behind the bar while his thirsty patrons pose for the camera along with them. The website findagrave.com contains a listing for three separate William H. Steffy's interred within the immediate Auburn area, but based on dates of birth and death, the following entry seems to be the most likely match for this merchant. William H. Steffy (Sr.?) was born in Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA, on 02/01/1877. He was the son of Samuel Steffey and Louise Miller Steffey. He was a brother of Anna Steffey Killian and Catherine Steffey Killian. In 1898, William (Sr.?) married Carrie B. Swoyer Steffy. He was a father of Alverna Steffy, an unnamed infant son (1903), Irene May Steffey, Leona Josephine Steffey, Roscoe Steffy, Samuel Kenneth Steffy, and William H. Steffy (Jr.?) (1901-1955). The earlier William H. Steffy (Sr.?) died in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, on 12/27/1958 and was interred within the Auburn Public Cemetery, Mill Street, Auburn, PA. Two undated and non-sourced news articles found within the Auburn Area Historical Society pertain to a William Steffe (or a William Steffy) of Auburn, PA. Whether these articles pertain to the earlier William H. Steffy (born 1877), the latter William H. Steffy (born 1901) or even a third previously unidentified William is uncertain at this time. If they do pertain to the same individual known as "Sweet William" Steffy, then a possible explanation for his nickname might have been the moniker was a sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek label for someone with an obviously violent temper. ******************************************** Steffe, William* - "CRIMINAL CASE SETTLED. - The case in which Wm. Steffe, of Auburn, was charged with assault and battery by his wife, was settled yesterday upon payment of the costs." - Excerpt from an undated and unidentified news article source. ******************************************** Steffy, William* - AUBURN SHALE: "Mrs. Wm. Steffy, living on Bear Creek street, has entered suit against her husband, who last Tuesday beat her most brutally, so that at one time it was feared that the one eye was destroyed. Steffy was waited upon by Capt. Reppard (Reppert) and in default of bail, he was given transportation to the castle on the hill (Pottsville's jailhouse), in Pottsville. Mrs. Steffy is under the doctor's care." - Excerpt from an undated and unidentified news article source. ******************************************** *NOTE: While it is uncertain whether William Steffe & William Steffy are the same individual, the events detailed in the articles suggest the likelihood of this offender being the same person is probable. ******************************************** |
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Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3975 -
The Auburn VFW was chartered 01/06/1945. The organization was called the Auburn VFW Staller-Luckenbill Post #3975 in tribute to two Auburn area residents, Paul Staller and Ray Luckenbill, who were Killed In Action during World War II. The VFW is located at 236 Pine Street, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. If you would like additional information, are seeking membership, or would like to donate to this organization, their mailing address is: Auburn VFW Post 3975; Attn: Post Quartermaster, P. O. Box 472; Auburn, PA 17922. Checks should be made payable to "Auburn VFW Post 3975". Or you could call them direct at 570-754-7593. The Auburn VFW's bar is the only location within Auburn presently where a parched individual can seek "refreshment" of a special kind on a daily basis. The bar not only offers beers and liquors, but a small variety of food as well to enjoy with your beverage of choice. The barroom features a pool table and large screen TV viewing, plus hosts special events such as karaoke, fund raisers, food sales, holiday-themed parties and much more. If you haven't already been there, visit the VFW and support a worthwhile cause. |
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